Charles Brady King revolutionized industrial construction projects by inventing the jackhammer – a tool that fuses hammer and chisel capabilities in a single, pneumatic or electro-mechanical piece of machinery. With its mighty blow, the jackhammer demolishes concrete, pavement, and other sturdy materials, making difficult projects much easier to tackle.

Jackhammers have come a long way since their original iteration in the early 1800s, when they were used for coalmining and powered by steam. In 1848 Joseph King transitioned the monstrosities from steam to picking up speed by using a rotary hammer for which he gained a patent in 1869. At the time, these early versions of the jackhammer were hefty and had to be melded tightly in both hands for operation.

By the turn of the century, electrical jackhammers were in the works, and they had taken the crown of being the favorite jackhammer choice by the roaring 20s. Nowadays, there is a plethora of pneumatically powered jackhammers of diverse sizes and designs – catering to every type of task.

North America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Ireland are all familiar with the term “jackhammer”. In Canada, this device goes by a few additional names such as “paving breaker” or “handheld pneumatic drill” while in the UK and Ireland “breaker” is typically used.

Jackhammers are the go-to tool for any number of projects, from slamming through solid concrete to tinkering with layers of asphalt, destroying rock walls, or simply readying surfaces for finishes like paint jobs. They are a powerful instrument for taking on just about any hard material.

If tedious tasks of busting up concrete or asphalt need to be accomplished, a jackhammer is your best bet. This versatile tool is available in many shapes and sizes to meet the requirements of a plethora of projects.

Boasting a force of around 90 pounds per square inch (psi), pneumatic jackhammers are the most widespread variant of jackhammers – fuelled largely by compressed air.

Diversified when it comes to size, pneumatic jackhammers come in an array of options with each size suited to handle various tasks. The dimensions of the jackhammer will ultimately decide how much work it can take on.

When it comes to jackhammers, size matters. For tackling limited tasks like smashing through smaller patches of concrete and asphalt, smaller jackhammers are the easy way to go. But for tougher assignments like breaking through rock or more sizeable sections of concrete, it is necessary to use larger versions of jackhammers.

Hard surfaces like concrete and rock can be made easier to break up with the help of a pneumatic jackhammer, which is usually equipped with two types of chisels—a pointed one for demolishing concrete and a blunt one designed specifically for penetrating stone.

When you are looking for a jackhammer, you may want to look to electric models. Boasting a wattage around 1,000, these tools provide the same power as other types, but with a different form of fuel: electricity.

weilding a lightweight yet powerful shell, electric jackhammers are the tool of choice to chip away at small areas of concrete or asphalt. Distinctly different in size and scope than their pneumatic counterparts, electric variants are considered the better option for anything beyond light-duty jobs.

For breaking up chunks of concrete and smashing through rock, electric jackhammers have two distinct chisel varieties; one sharp for cement, and one dull for stone.

Boasting an impressive 2,000 pounds per square inch (psi) of force, hydraulic jackhammers stand as the most powerful type of jackhammer. Their muscular might is produced by way of hydraulic fluid.

For jobs of an immense magnitude, hydraulic jackhammers are the chosen tool, equipped to pulverize through formidable rocks and expansive concrete surfaces.

Oftentimes, hydraulic jackhammers are fitted with two immensely diverse chisels. The pointed style is utilized to demolish concrete while the blunted variety attacks rock.

Enforcing optimum safety standards should be a top priority when employing a jackhammer: always guard your eyes with goggles or a face shield to prevent injury from scattered fragments.

To keep your ears safe from the reverberations of the roaring jackhammer, consider donning an earplug or earmuff.

To mitigate the potentially damaging effects of operating a jackhammer, it is essential to adequately safeguard your hands by wearing heavy-duty gloves.

In order to stay safe while utilizing a pneumatic jackhammer, one should always don a dust mask in order to prevent having the dust created by the device become an unwelcome guest in their lungs.

When operating an electric jackhammer, make sure to have footwear with a rubber base to protect yourself from the electric flow.

Prior to utilizing a jackhammer, take the time to thoroughly review the manufacturer’s instructions for proper usage.

Though relatively straightforward to operate, jackhammers can be hazardous if misapplied.

It is highly recommended to adhere to the manufacturer’s usage guidelines and operate the jackhammer in an area equipped with an abundance of oxygenated air.